Officials say the number of new hires varies every year, depending on retirements and yearly turnover.

The swearing in ceremony is just the beginning for the new officers as they are each in a probationary period for one year, which includes additional training.

"Through our hiring process, through our testing process, through our background process, we're pretty confident that year in and year out we get some of the best police officer candidates in the region. And we are very proud of this class. This class is no different. We have high expectations for them. They are joining a group of officers that are very, very highly qualified and talented," Robin Roeser, Duluth Deputy Chief of Police, said.